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Takeaways from IBS 2025

Posted on March 04, 2025

The 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) marked a significant milestone for the construction industry, drawing record attendance and highlighting key trends that are reshaping the sector.

Among the most pressing topics discussed were workforce challenges, innovative hiring strategies, and the evolving market outlook for the remainder of the year.

Record-Breaking Attendance Reflects Industry Resilience

This year’s IBS surpassed expectations, with over 1,800 exhibitors—750 of which were new—spanning 728,000 net square feet. Attendees explored cutting-edge building products and technologies, underscoring the industry’s commitment to advancement and resilience post-pandemic.

Intensified Focus on Recruitment and Workforce Development

A recurring theme at the show was the acute labor shortage facing the construction industry. Projections indicate that an additional 454,000 workers will be needed by 2025 to meet demand.

This shortage has prompted companies to adopt creative hiring strategies, including:

  • Emphasizing Cultural Fit Over Experience: Firms are increasingly open to hiring individuals without direct industry experience, focusing instead on aligning candidates’ personalities with company culture to facilitate smoother integration and retention.

  • Leveraging Recruitment Partnerships: Given the time-consuming nature of vetting candidates, many companies are partnering with specialized recruiters to streamline the hiring process, allowing internal teams to focus on core responsibilities.

  • Strategic Succession Planning: Recognizing the importance of sustainable growth, companies are investing in succession planning to ensure leadership continuity and address future workforce needs proactively.

Reflecting on Past Hiring Practices

Discussions at the show revealed that many companies acknowledged hiring too rapidly at the end of 2023, leading to increased turnover. This year, there’s a concerted effort to make more deliberate and strategic hiring decisions to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Market Outlook and External Challenges

The latter half of 2025 presents both opportunities and challenges for the building materials industry:

  • Impact of Tariffs: Companies like Beacon Roofing Supply have reported economic headwinds due to tariffs and labor shortages, influencing profit projections and operational strategies.

  • Sustained Demand in Specific Sectors: Despite challenges, sectors such as roofing repairs and replacements remain robust, driven by ongoing demand that contrasts with a sluggish new construction market.

Conclusion

The 2025 NAHB International Builders’ Show highlighted the industry’s resilience and adaptability in the face of labor shortages and economic pressures. By embracing innovative hiring practices and strategic planning, companies are positioning themselves to navigate the evolving landscape successfully. As the year progresses, a focus on sustainable growth and workforce development will be crucial for continued success in the building materials industry.

Sources:
https://www.nahb.org/
https://www.abc.org/
https://www.marketwatch.com/